Top-10 NBA Teams Playoffs Edition 2022

The NBA’s Top-10 teams are heading into the 2022 NBA Playoffs.

SI Editorial | Apr 10, 2022

Top-10 NBA Teams Playoffs Edition 2022 /

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The Pelicans Scoop's Top-10 NBA teams are heading into the 2022 NBA Playoffs. Will the Suns and Bucks have a rematch of last year's championship series? Or, will the Heat and upstart Grizzlies make a run at the title?

Here are the Top 10 NBA Teams for the 2022 NBA Playoffs:

1. Phoenix Suns / Apr 8, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) reacts to dunking the ball in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

The Phoenix Suns put a lot of distance between themselves and every other team during the regular season on their way to the best record in the NBA this year. Last year, the Suns surprised everybody by making it all the way to the Finals but they ultimately came up short.In 2021-22, Phoenix looks more poised and even better. Watch out for their rock-solid team chemistry and Monty Williams’ basketball mind as they look to make another deep playoff run.

The Miami Heat clinched the top spot in the Eastern Conference with solid team play all around. The trio of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro have each helped to lead Miami with Herro in the running for 6th Man of the Year award. Even though the Heat are the top seed, they could still potentially face a tough Brooklyn Nets team that is getting healthy.

3. Milwaukee Bucks / Apr 8, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives to the basket against Detroit Pistons forward Saddiq Bey (41) and guard Cade Cunningham (left) during the third quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

The defending champions look every bit as dominant as they did last year. Giannis is in the running for another MVP award and has a superb supporting cast around him. The Milwaukee Bucks haven’t been quite as good during the regular season as the Phoenix Suns, who they beat in the Finals last year, but they should still meet little resistance in the Eastern Conference on their way back to the Championship.

4. Memphis Grizzlies / Apr 9, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) goes for a lay-up while New Orleans Pelicans guard Devonte' Graham (4) looks on during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Christine Tannous-USA TODAY Sports

The Memphis Grizzlies have been one of the biggest surprises this season as they’ve skyrocketed up boards and became one of the best teams in the NBA. Ja Morant has put together an MVP-caliber performance this season but what’s even more impressive is that the Grizzlies have a better record when Morant is out. Memphis is one of the most lethal teams this year with out of this world team chemistry and they could continue to surprise people with a deep playoff run

5. Boston Celtics / Apr 7, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) reacts in the 2nd quarter during game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics are on a roll since March 1 which has helped lead them to the third seed in the playoffs. Boston has been led by Jayson Tatum, who took a leap this year and now has a more well-rounded game, and Marcus Smart, who is a top candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. The Celtics won’t have an easy road through the playoffs, however, as they’ll need to dethrone the Bucks as well as get through Miami and Philadelphia

6. Philadelphia 76ers / Jan 13, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embid (21) at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia 76ers sit at 4th seed and have one of the highest ceilings in the Eastern Conference but have looked a little shaky as of late. On one hand, Joel Embid is an MVP candidate who recently added James Harden as a sidekick. On the other hand, James Harden hasn’t looked quite himself recently and the 76ers’ defensive specialist Matisse Thybulle has not received a COVID-19 vaccination which would make him ineligible to play against the Toronto Raptors in Toronto in the first round

7. Golden State Warriors / Apr 9, 2022; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) reacts during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

Even though the Golden State Warriors are the 3rd seed in the Western Conference, they have still had to deal with some injuries that could put them at a disadvantage early in the playoffs. Steph Curry has been out with a foot injury since March 16, Draymond Green just returned April 3 after missing 2 months with a back injury and Klay Thompson returned this year from an ACL injury. Golden State should be healthy to start the playoffs but will have a tough first round matchup against the Denver Nuggets

8. Dallas Mavericks / Apr 8, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) points to center Dwight Powell (not pictured) after Powell scores against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Mavericks clinched home-court advantage in the first round for the first time since 2011, the last time they won the NBA championship. Luka Doncic has been phenomenal all season for the Mavericks and is in the running for MVP but Dallas will need their supporting cast to step up if they want to advance deep into the playoffs.

9. Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets are the 6th seed in the Western Conference and have been led by the reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic. Jokic has put together a historic season as he became the first player to reach 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 500 assists in a single season. Denver will continue to need Jokic to lead them through the playoffs with their second star Jamal Murray still out with an ACL injury.

Apr 8, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Thaddeus Young (21) drives to the basket as Houston Rockets forward Kenyon Martin Jr. (6) defends during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

10. Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors have put together a nice bounce-back season to make the playoffs after being one of the league’s worst teams last year. The Raptors are a well-rounded team but rookie Scottie Barnes has been especially fantastic as he has done a little bit of everything for the team. Toronto could also have a distinct advantage against other playoff teams due to the fact that players must be vaccinated to play in Toronto.

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Published Apr 10, 2022

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